Emma Scanlon has touched the lives of her parents, friends, nurses and therapists.

The 3-year-old Rehoboth girl was born with a medical condition that remains undiagonsed despite a two-year tour of hospitals and specialists in search of answers and batteries of tests.

Immediately after her birth, Emma’s parents, Michael Scanlon and Meg Saxon, knew something was wrong. “She required resuscitation,” Saxon said. “She was unable to take from a bottle, so feeding Emma became an issue, as she could not physically move her body. As a result, she spent the first two months in the (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).”

Emma’s condition has rendered her unable to speak, so communication is a struggle. “It’s taken some time for us to learn when she needs or wants something,” Saxon said. Emma also has low muscle tone, which makes it difficult for her to do things we take for granted like eating, drinking, walking independently or sitting up on her own.

Doctors at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence began running tests to diagnose Emma’s condition, but no one has been able to provide a diagnosis. “It was very difficult,” said Scanlon on dealing with finding out what was wrong with his daughter.

After all efforts were exhausted there, they traveled to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland to see a specialist that treats children with hypotonia, or low muscle tone. All tests came back normal, as they recommended more testing on Emma.

“She currently has been seen by a multitude of specialists at Boston Children’s Hospital, and we have accepted that she will likely never have a diagnosis,” said Scanlon.

Emma’s parents have shifted their focus to helping their daughter thrive and reach her potential.

“Raising a child like Emma introduced a whole new dimension of preparation, planning, and patience into our lives,” Scanlon said. Everyday tasks and errands became a little more complicated and things like going to a restaurant required a little more thought. “We’ve faced difficult challenges and decisions that we never imagined being faced with,” Scanlon said, “and we’ve learned to accept that things may not ever be the way we always thought they would.”

Enter Meeting Street School.

Saxon first heard about the school from its reputation. “We knew about the school itself, but we never knew what it was really about until we met one of Emma’s physical therapists.”

Meeting Street School in Providence is where infants, preschoolers and children of all abilities receive individualized attention from highly trained, dedicated educators, therapists and staff to bring out the best in each child.

Emma started going to the school in January soon after she celebrated her third birthday and attends Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Meeting Street has been excellent,” Saxon said. “Emma loves going to school there. As soon as we enter her classroom and sees the other kids playing, she immediately wants to leave your arms, get down, and do her thing!”

Page 2 of 2 - Saxon said her daughter is happy, more independent, communicates better and grows stronger physically every day. “The teachers at Meeting Street do a great job creating a fun, inclusive environment, reminding us that while therapy is important it’s just as important that Emma is allowed to play and be a kid.”

In May, Emma participated in the Walk-n-Roll event sponsored by Meeting Street to help raise money for school programs. The event was held at Pariseau Field in Pawtucket, where supporters and fundraisers walked or rolled around a track for two miles. “The Walk-n-Roll was such a great experience,” Scanlon said.

The outpouring of support for Emma’s cause was overwhelming. “We knew our family and friends would donate and/or join the team, but the next thing we knew we had a team of 50 people, including not only family and friends, but Emma’s past and current therapists and nurses who cared for her in the NICU. People we’ve never even met donated through the efforts of others.”

Emma and her fellow participants paraded from Parsieau Field to McCoy Stadium next door. Emma was the top fundraiser with over $5,300, and so she had the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch of the Pawtucket Red Sox game that day.

“It was Emma’s first time at a ball game,” Scanlon said, “and she had a great time. Seeing her throw out the first pitch with all her friends and family standing behind her was an experience we’ll never forget.”

Despite Emma’s illness, Saxon says the rewards in raising her daughter far outweigh the challenges they have faced. “We celebrate the little things that most would take for granted. We see how hard she works each day and we’re extremely proud of her. We are rewarded every time she smiles and laughs.”

Emma also has sparked changes into her parents’ lives and views of the world. “Raising Emma has lead us to meet some incredibly caring and kind people and making some great friends we would’ve otherwise never met,” said Scanlon. “We’ve been introduced to a world we previously only knew from the outside. The inside is so much nicer than we imagined. Kids like Emma bring a unique happiness to those around them that’s hard to describe.”

Because of the support, attention, and love she has received from her parents and others, Emma’s future is looking bright. “She is surrounded by family, friends, and therapists who will continue to love and support her no matter what challenges lie ahead,” Scanlon said. “We see no reason why she won’t continue to be the sweet, loving, happy girl that makes everyone around her feel lucky to know her.”